The Apple Tree

City Center Encores can either be wonderful reproductions of long forgotten shows, or terrible re-hashes from an underprepaired cast. Thankfully, last nights production of The Apple Tree was the first.
As much as I want to dislike Kristin Chenoweth after the release of her disasterous Christian CD, I have to admit, she is brilliant. Comic timing, exquisite voice, perky and precise stage movement. She is our generations Judy Holliday. She made something quite special out of not much of a second and third act. I love theater, but rarely do I find myself laughing out loud. Last night I did. A lot.
Malcolm Gets is also wonderful. This is the third time I have seen him perform, and he is perfect at whatever he takes on. Clear, direct, and never misses the mark.
Michael Cerveris, hmmm..., I suppose he has a place as a character actor, but honestly, he creeps me out a bit. In the first act, every time he (as the ssssnake) appeared on stage, the show fell flat. He was much better as the guitar playing narrator. in the second act.
What an odd show. Three acts, three different stories. Interesting. The first act score was there strictly to support the comedy. The second and third acts were musically much more interesting to my ear. With tunes like, "Oh, to be a movie star", and "I'll tell you a truth", these acts moved along and had me humming out the door. Another great night of theater.